Capillary transport device, capillary mounting device, capillary replacement device, capillary transport method, capillary mounting method, and capillary replacement method

Abstract

A capillary transport device is capable of inserting, without manpower, a capillary into a mounting section of an ultrasonic horn. The capillary transport device includes: a first tube for transporting a capillary; an ultrasonic horn with a mounting section for mounting the capillary; a first movement mechanism for relatively moving the ultrasonic horn and a first end of the first tube; and a mechanism for blowing gas into a second end of the first tube.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A capillary replacement device comprising:
 a first tube for transporting a capillary; 
 an ultrasonic horn with a mounting section for mounting the capillary; 
 a first movement mechanism for relatively moving the ultrasonic horn and a first end of the first tube; 
 a mechanism for blowing gas into a second end of the first tube; 
 a mechanism for fixing the capillary to the mounting section; 
 a mechanism for removing the capillary fixed to the mounting section; and 
 a mechanism for sucking gas from the second end of the first tube. 
 
     
     
       2. The capillary replacement device according to  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for blowing gas includes a second tube for pushing the capillary into the second end of the first tube and a second movement mechanism for moving the second tube. 
     
     
       3. The capillary replacement device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a block arranged at the first end of the first tube and made of a material harder than the first tube. 
     
     
       4. A capillary replacement device comprising:
 a first tube for transporting a first capillary; 
 a second tube for transporting a second capillary; 
 an ultrasonic horn with a mounting section for mounting the first capillary; 
 a first movement mechanism for relatively moving the ultrasonic horn and a first end of the first tube as well as a first end of the second tube; 
 a mechanism for blowing gas into a second end of the second tube; 
 a mechanism for sucking gas from a second end of the first tube; 
 a mechanism for removing the first capillary fixed to the mounting section; and 
 a mechanism for fixing the second capillary to the mounting section. 
 
     
     
       5. A capillary replacement device comprising:
 a first tube including a first path for transporting a first capillary, a second path for transporting a second capillary, and a third path where the first path and the second path are merged; 
 an ultrasonic horn with a mounting section for mounting the first capillary; 
 a first movement mechanism for relatively moving the ultrasonic horn and an end of the third path of the first tube; 
 a mechanism for blowing gas into an end of the second path of the first tube; 
 a mechanism for removing the first capillary fixed to the mounting section; and 
 a mechanism for fixing the second capillary to the mounting section.